Three U.S. officials say the recent rounds of American airstrikes against Iran are serving a dual purpose: pushing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while simultaneously weakening Iranian military capabilities that would need to be neutralized before any larger-scale operations could be carried out.
The officials, speaking under the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters, said the strikes are effectively expanding the military options available to President Donald Trump. Trump notified Congress last weekend of a formal resumption of hostilities with Iran, while continuing to keep the world uncertain about his next move.
Now entering its fifth month, the conflict with Iran has continued after a memorandum of understanding — intended to halt the fighting and lay the groundwork for a peace deal — fell apart. Despite suffering significant military losses since the U.S. and Israeli campaign began on February 28, Iran still holds considerable drone and missile capabilities and has continued attacking commercial tankers and neighboring Gulf states.
The U.S. military has confirmed its recent strikes have focused on Iranian air defense networks, coastal radar installations, missile and drone launch sites, small watercraft, and other naval assets.
One official described the ongoing strikes as “shaping operations” — a military term for actions that weaken an enemy’s defenses ahead of more intensive future operations.
“This is helping set the stage, if needed,” the official said.
The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment.
Earlier reporting from March revealed that U.S. military planners had been developing options to deploy American troops to Iran’s coastline to help secure the Strait. At that time, officials also said the Trump administration had discussed sending ground forces to Kharg Island — the hub through which 90% of Iran’s oil exports flow. That option carries significant risk, as Iran could bombard the island with missiles and drones launched from the mainland.
On Tuesday, Trump said he had directed his military not to strike Iran’s oil infrastructure during previous operations near Kharg Island, but he left the door open to eventually seizing the island itself.
“If we degrade them far enough and deep enough back, I would do that,” Trump told Fox News.
Trump has also floated the possibility of striking a fortified underground facility linked to Iran’s nuclear program, known as Pickaxe Mountain, located near one of Tehran’s primary nuclear sites.
Mark Cancian, a retired U.S. Marine officer with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Trump’s willingness to openly discuss potential military moves like taking Kharg Island cuts both ways. While it may apply pressure on Iran and support diplomatic efforts, it also tips off adversaries.
It’s “bad for the military, because we’re saying where we might be going,” Cancian said.
Critics of the conflict — including some members of Congress — argue that while U.S. forces have achieved tactical wins by dismantling large portions of Iran’s conventional military and defense industrial capacity, the campaign has not produced meaningful strategic concessions from Tehran. Iran has responded by exerting an unprecedented grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway critical to roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Even with its conventional navy largely destroyed, Iran has continued attacking commercial ships using drones and rockets.
That reality has sparked internal debate within the Trump administration over the best path forward. A fourth official said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been pushing for a more aggressive military posture against Iran.
Imran Bayoumi, a former Pentagon official now affiliated with the Atlantic Council, suggested Trump’s sweeping public statements about Iran in recent days are likely aimed at keeping Tehran off balance during negotiations rather than signaling imminent action.
“I would separate the noise from the actions,” Bayoumi said. “I would expect the discussions between him and his national security team are looking a bit different than what he’s posting online.”
